After a battle with cancer, Janet Fox passed away peacefully on December 27, 2014, surrounded by her family. She is survived by Stan, her husband of 60 years, son Charles (Kari), daughter Janet (Keith), and granddaughter, Natalie.
Janet was born and raised in North Vancouver, the middle daughter of Captain Charles W. and Suzanne Cates. Janet was full of life and laughter inheriting her father’s love of storytelling and singing. After the birth of her children she became a force in the co-op kindergarten movement, a primary school teacher, and later, in Toronto, a supervisor and trainer for a national retail clothing company where she mentored many young women in their career journeys.
Although she took her work very seriously, home and community service were where Janet’s heart truly belonged. Whether it was assisting Stan as a wise critic of his film and television projects, or helping her son, Charles, or daughter Janet with their interests, she gave of herself fully.
Soon after retiring from her professional career, she was stricken with dystonia, a painful, incurable nervous disorder. Despite this handicap she helped organize a support group in Victoria. Janet touched many hearts in her journey through life.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
22 Responses
Dear Stan,
How unutterably, and irredeemably sad your news: must it be so, must it be?
-and yet what wonderful memories we share of Janet’s charm, vivacity and intelligence – sheer “presence” of mind. I see her fond smile beaming up at me when I arrived one day “Oh, Brent”, she said, “ I am so glad to see you, I was afraid Stan would suffer from gadget deprivation!”
We are old friends, and have long borne our share of burdens together, but nothing like this. I am so, terribly, terribly sorry.
Death is a shadow that falls upon every sea, but love must be our answer; for it is as great and as strong, and vast as the ocean itself. May the forever of love help to carry the burdens of grief from your heart.
With every kind wish,
Brent and Frances
-To Janet, I am so sorry for your loss. No one and nothing can replace the wisdom and care of a Mother. You will wish many times she were still there to talk to for the rest of your life and that in itself is a lasting tribute to her. May God Bless you all.
Frances
Dear Stan and family
Janet is so much in my thoughts. We shared so much and talked about both serious and amusing things on our thrice weekly travels. I miss those times. I will remember her for her wisdom, her appreciation of all that was good and beautiful and her wonderful laugh. Thank you for sharing her with me.
Gina McGavin
Dear Stan, Please accept my condolences on the recent death of your wife. I know the grief you are feeling. Sincerely, Gladys Richards
Dear Stan: On behalf of the Victoria Writers’ Society, I wish to express our sadness over your loss. We wish you strength in this new year – please know you are in our thoughts and hearts.
Stan, we have just heard the sad news and we both extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. We will always remember those happier times.
Dear Stan
My condolences to you and your Family at this sad time. Among her many achievements, Janet was instrumental in establishing a Victoria support group for the Canadian Branch of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. At that time, many doctors were not familiar with this neurological disorder and misdiagnosed it. You can imagine the relief of Dystonia sufferers upon learning that they were not alone.
Alastair Wilson
Dear Stan Fox
I am deeply saddened to learn your sad news and send you and your family my condolences. I remember Janet with great affection for when she and I were part of the Sudor play reading and discussion group back in the early 1960s. Janet was such a sweet soul with brilliant insights. RIP Janet.
Des Risdon
Dear Stan, Little Janet, Charlie, Natalie and all the family,
We send you our deepest condolences. Janet was a feisty and delightful person. We have many happy memories of time spent with her and hold her high in our hearts.
love, Colleen Murphy and August Murphy-King
Janet was truly a daughter of Charles Warren and Suzanne Cates. She had the sweet manner and calming voice which was a trait of all the females in the family. She will be dearly missed by so many. My thoughts are with Stan, Charlie and Janet and families.
Brenda .
Stan,
I will always remember Janice smiling, welcoming me, asking about my sons. She was such a positive, caring friend. Always thinking, always eager to discuss our lives, the world. I will miss her, Stan.